The term “AI” or artificial intelligence is increasingly being discussed in all facets of life. This is true for commercial horticulture as well. Whether you grow ornamental crops, cannabis or greenhouse vegetables there are numerous companies that are promising to optimize processes, increase efficiency, and improve overall crop yields. But, what are they really doing? Does it work? Will it work? Should I invest? After having many conversations with growers in greenhouses, vertical farms and other indoor (and outdoor) growing facilities, we decided to put together a short article outlining the types of technologies being proposed and their capabilities at…
Author: Chris Higgins
Early in the ag-tech, vertical farm and greenhouse-grown movement, everyone talked about reasons for innovating the way we farm. Industry insiders discussed everything from changing the way we feed the future to the demand for more locally grown fresh produce options. Hundreds of millions of dollars were raised to meet what investors felt were market demands. Now the economy, access to money and the cost of money has changed. Also, many farms that were recently built are now out of business. This leads me to a few questions: Was there ever a real need for locally grown fresh produce? If…
If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. We all know brands with products and services that represent quality. But have you ever been the person responsible for selling quality? For earning the premium price associated with producing quality products? Since my first job in 1996, every company I worked for, represented or owned believed they had the highest quality product in their market or class. However, I now realize that believing you have the best (even if it is true) does not mean you can convince your customer or that your customer values quality in the same…
In July 2023, I posted the article The 2023 Controlled Environment Agriculture Market – How Are We Evolving? After fielding several questions and comments from industry professionals who I really respect, I feel the need for one (maybe two) follow-up articles. This article is first because I firmly believe labor is the biggest challenge we face today, as well as for the next 10 years in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and in commercial horticulture and general production agriculture. Victor Loaiza Mejia posted the following on LinkedIn on August 10, 2023: “I disagree with your assessment of the lack of ‘grower…
Photo: AppHarvest, Somerset Kentucky The U.S. controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry received lots of publicity over the past 10 years. From interviews on CNBC to articles in Forbes, investors and the general business community found interest in an industry that seemed new despite the fact that it was anything but. (If you are interested in the definition of and more information on the controlled environment agriculture and the indoor ag tech industry, please click here.) This new interest led to substantial capital invested into greenhouses, vertical farms, and other companies supporting the commercial ag-tech and horticulture industry. All this “noise”…
Photo: Close friend and Kansas farmer enjoys a break. Credit: Chris Higgins Thoughts of a businessman just trying to figure it out, while not messing up. “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” – The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway In a previous article, I posed the question, Who Should Lead The Environmental Movement? In this follow up-piece, I want to explain why I struggle seeing myself or any other small, medium or large business owners being leaders or role models in this movement. You see, I believe most of us start or go into business for similar reasons. We also…
Photo: Chris Higgins, Hendersonville NC. Recent company failures and layoffs will likely have people second guessing their commitment to the agtech movement and possibly controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The past 15 years of my career have seen a rollercoaster of interest in my chosen industry. In the 2000s, the Canadians and Mexicans drove investments as they rapidly expanded to give U.S. consumers year-round access to greenhouse-grown tomatoes. Then, starting between 2010-2015, vertical farmers and greenhouse leafy greens producers again jumped at the opportunity to rapidly scale new ideas as consumers demanded locally grown options. Also, investors (flush with cheap capital)…
Greenhouse and Vertical Farm Vegetable Production Is All About Balance. Ever wonder what’s the difference between a good grower and a great grower? I recently made a post on Linkedin that brought out some amazing comments from professional growers. It also highlighted the fact that those new to our industry do not understand the terminology we commonly use. In fact, most of these terms mean something completely different to professionals from other industries looking to join the world of controlled environment agriculture. (Don’t know exactly what controlled environment agriculture means? Follow this link.) In Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), we used…
Chris Higgins and Michael Del Ciancio discuss the importance of ag-tech in shaping the next generation of family farms. Urban Ag News is extremely grateful that Michael Del Ciancio of DC Farms based in Ruthven Ontario, Canada, has agreed to discuss his thoughts on new ag-tech trends with us. A third- generation farmer, Michael grew up working on the family fruit and vegetable farm with his father and grandfather. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture at University of Guelph, Mike went on to work in music marketing for a brief period managing a metal band in the Toronto area.…
When you know the 9 cardinal parameters of plant science, you’re able to smell a fraud. The best in the industry know that no one item determines successful plant production. Instead, they look to the 9 Cardinal Parameters of Plant Science: Light Learn more with Dr Ricardo Hernandez and the Farmer Tyler: https://urbanagnews.com/blog/light-quality-with-farmer-tyler-and-dr-ricardo-hernandez/ Temperature Learn more with Dr Cheiri Kubota: https://urbanagnews.com/blog/news/back-to-basics-plant-responses-to-temperature-by-dr-chieri-kubota/ Wind (Air Flow) Learn more with Dr AJ Both: https://urbanagnews.com/blog/prevent-tipburn-on-greenhouse-lettuce/ Humidity Learn more with Dr Nadia Sabeh https://urbanagnews.com/blog/news/humidity-control-in-greenhouses-and-other-indoor-plant-environments/ CO2 Learn more from a leading crop consultant: https://urbanagnews.com/blog/exclusives/the-benefits-of-supplemental-co2-are-worth-the-cost/ Root-Zone Temperature Learn more from a leading grower: https://urbanagnews.com/blog/exclusives/what-are-the-5-must-dos-for-growing-a-quality-greenhouse-lettuce-crop/ Nutrients Learn more…
Cornell University Explains CEA. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is an advanced and intensive form of hydroponically-based agriculture where plants grow within a controlled environment to optimize horticultural practices. CEA techniques are not simpler than older systems for growing plants. Indeed, they demand sound knowledge of chemistry, horticulture, engineering, plant physiology, plant pathology, computers and entomology. A wide range of skills as well as a natural inclination to attend to details are necessary for a person to operate a successful CEA production in either a research or commercial setting. Importance Today’s consumers increasingly demand a diet that includes fresh, high-quality vegetables…
Learn the 3 things to consider when choosing energy efficient lighting in your greenhouse or vertical farm. __________ Before we get started, let’s set some ground rules for this article. 1. I want to believe that everyone wants to do what’s right for the planet as long as they think their business can afford it, so we will not focus on energy efficiency and its impact on sustainability. 2. In this article I will not post the name of suppliers or the price of the lights. The price of the light will definitely impact people’s decisions and will vary widely…
Photo: Shenandoah Growers, Virginia Remember: It is possible to operate a successful and profitable hydroponic farm in a hoop house, a greenhouse, vertical farm or even outside in parts of the world. There are only three primary reasons a grower or a farmer should invest in technology. Yet if you listen to anyone in the industry selling specific technologies, you’ll hear hundreds of reasons. The fact is, most growers should forgo investing in technologies and save their money. As you go through this article, keep in mind that the reasons a commercial greenhouse or vertical farm should invest in technology…
Photo: Our decisions today affect our planet tomorrow. Protect what you love, whether that be work or play. Simple answer, those with the most passion and perseverance. As the controlled environment agriculture industry we spend a significant amount of time discussing how we are going to improve our communities, the environment, the farming experience and the quality of food we eat. By themselves these are major commitments. Together they are an enormous commitment. This got me thinking about a simple question, “who should be the leaders of this proposed revolution?” In this post I am going to discuss how we can…